Some give the shoes off their feet to help Haiti orphanage

While helping to build an orphanage in Haiti last summer, volunteers from Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church literally gave the shoes off their feet.

During their weeklong mission trip, the Raleigh group worked side by side with many Haitians from the nearby village. They prayed together, sweated together and even taught each other new words.

As they were saying goodbye, one of the Raleigh volunteers took off his shoes and handed them to one of their new Haitian friends. The rest of the mission workers followed suit.

“During the week, they had shown their appreciation through many hugs, handshakes and homemade food,” said Kevin Fischer. “It was very affirming to see how much we took our stuff for granted and how much joy that it brought to them.”

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Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church has financially assisted the Yahve Jire orphanage for the past five years; last year, the church took its first mission trip to Haiti. Twelve volunteers from the church will return this summer to build benches and outdoor tables and help the children move into the new orphanage.

“For years, we gave a lot of monetary support and now we are doing the concrete steps to help them advance their mission,” Fischer said.

The church is holding a yard sale to benefit the Haiti mission trip from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, at the church, 4900 Kaplan Drive, Raleigh. Items for sale will include toys, clothes, furniture, books and household items. A breakfast buffet with eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns and biscuits and gravy will be available for $5 per plate from 8 to 10 a.m.

The church is also accepting donations for the sale from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 20, or community members can rent a space at the sale for $25 and keep the proceeds from selling their own items. For more information, call 919-851-4713. To rent a booth or request a pickup for a donation, go to wbpresbyterian.org.

Barbecue and fried chicken supper

Edenton Street United Methodist Church is holding a “When Pigs Fly, Missions Happen” fundraiser Friday, April 20, at the church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $9 for a plate of Coopers barbecue and fried chicken. All proceeds will be donated to the Methodist Home for Children and Urban Ministries. Delivery and take-out are available. For more information, call 919-832-7535.

Spring fling and plant sale

Raleigh Moravian Church is holding its annual Spring Fling shopping festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 21, in the fellowship hall at 1816 Ridge Road, Raleigh. More than 30 vendors will be selling jewelry, clothing, accessories, house wares, art, stationery, candles and soaps along with a used-book sale and a raffle. Proceeds will go toward youth mission trips to repair homes and churches in North Carolina and the Caribbean.

The church is also having a plant sale on the front lawn of the church from Friday, April 20, to Sunday, April 22, to support the youth missions. The sale includes annuals, potted plants, hanging flower baskets and ferns. For more information, call 919-787-4034.

Strawberry sale

Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church is selling strawberries and hanging plants from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21, and Saturday, April 28, at the church, 4921 Six Forks Road, Raleigh. All proceeds will benefit an elementary school in South Sudan with 725 students. For more information, call 919-787-1086.

Spring concert

The Northeast Piedmont Choral is performing "Sing Me To Heaven” at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 22, at Louisburg United Methodist Church, 402 N. Main St., Louisburg. The free concert will include music by Daniel Gawthrop, Eric Whitacre, Richard Rogers and Gabriel Faure. For more information, call 919-556-9543.

Celebrate God’s Gifts Gala

The Celebrate God’s Gifts Gala is set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Hilton North Raleigh, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh. The gala is sponsored by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and the Catholic Charities Board. Trish Powell will be emcee for the evening, and Sister Mary Isaac Jogues Koenig is the guest speaker. Entertainment will be provided by Latin Sounds. The gala will benefit families served by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh. Tickets are $75 and scholarships are available. For more information call 919-821-8146 or visit www.catholiccharitiesraleigh.org.

Do you have some faith news to share? Send it to correspondent Jennifer Gregory at nrnews@newsobserver.com.